1. Bathroom Sconces
Installing bathroom wall sconces can do a lot to beautify the space. This type of bathroom lighting mimics the style of mounted candles and oil lamps. It’s flattering and including it in your bathroom can really lend a certain ambience. Bathroom wall lights are also a great way to balance and augment overhead lighting as well as brighten up a dark corner. Placed on the sides of a bathroom vanity, when combined with overhead vanity lights, they eliminate shadows which is ideal for applying makeup.
For help designing a lighting theme for your bathroom or any other room in your home, take a look at How to Choose the Right Lights and Lighting Trends to Follow Now.
2. Bathroom Vanity Lights
Bathroom vanity lights and LED-lit bathroom mirrors add just the right amount of brightness while reducing the glare or shadow that can come from strong overhead light fixtures. Make using your vanity lights and mirror a more pleasant experience while grooming or applying makeup by adding a beautiful light fixture.
If you’re having trouble choosing the bathroom vanity light fixture finish, look to your other fixtures like your showerhead and bathroom faucet to make sure they complement each other. Gearing up for your next project? Check out some of our other helpful articles like how to Choose the Best Bathroom Vanity for Your Home for help with picking out a vanity and How to Install a Bathroom Vanity and Sink.
3. Bathroom Chandeliers
Chandeliers in a bathroom are a beautiful and elegant addition. Bathroom chandeliers aren’t just for dining rooms and living rooms. If the ceiling height in your bathroom can accommodate it, hang a simple, or even an ornate bathroom chandelier, to add a touch of drama to the space. If you need help with hanging one, check out our article How to Install a Chandelier.
4. Flush Mount Ceiling Lights
Flush mount lighting is a good choice for bathrooms with low ceilings because it’s designed to shine light downward and have an ultra-low profile. Plus, many flush mount lighting fixtures for the bathroom come with a built-in exhaust fan. In large bathrooms with high ceilings, use flush mount ceiling lights for task lighting or as part of an overall lighting theme. One additional advantage of flush mount lighting fixtures’ simple, flat shape is that they’re much easier to dust than more intricate or ornate bathroom ceiling lights.
5. Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Lights
If you have a low ceiling in your bathroom but want a bathroom light fixture that makes more of a statement, consider semi-flush mount lighting. This bathroom lighting type can be used in the same way as flush mount lighting but offers a different design element.
See our Flush Mount and Semi-Flush Mount Buying Guide for additional information.
6. Bathroom Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting fixtures are installed flat within a ceiling and provide more uniform coverage than other lighting types. Recessed lighting in the bathroom, especially in hard to light spaces like tubs and showers feels especially useful.
To choose the right style for your space, see our Recessed Lighting Buying Guide. Install them as a do-it-yourself project using this article: How to Install Recessed Lighting.
7. Bathroom Exhaust Fan Lights
Lighted bathroom exhaust fans are another way to add lighting to your bathroom. They serve a dual purpose, removing steam from the bathroom and providing overhead light. Bathroom fans are particularly convenient if you need to brighten up a bathroom with a small ceiling area or if don’t want to run new wiring. See our Bathroom Fan Buying Guide for more information on choosing an exhaust fan for bathrooms.
8. Bathroom Skylights
When considering bathroom lighting design, think natural. Bathroom skylights add flattering natural light to shower areas, bathroom vanity areas and more. Some skylights in the bathroom even open to let in a refreshing breeze when the weather is nice. If you want to incorporate some daylight into your bathroom design, but want the compact look of a light fixture, consider installing tubular skylights.
Bathroom Lighting Ideas
Lighting plays a big role in your bathroom. Whether you’re replacing an overhead light or remodeling the entire bathroom, careful planning of your bathroom lighting now will ensure a strategically lit bathroom in the future. Consider lighting ideas for the bathroom like dimmable light fixtures, front lit mirrors for makeup and shaving, reading lights (think reading while soaking in the tub), backlit mirrors, vanity lighting, wall sconces and inner cabinet lighting. Layering light lets you customize the levels of light as you need it so think about how you want to use the light as well as the light placement.
When space is limited, keep in mind these small bathroom lighting ideas: use strip lighting under cabinets, vanity lights, recessed or flush mount lighting, lighted mirrors, wall sconces on either side of a mirror and pendant lights. Stay away from harsh overhead lighting, especially if you’re using it as your single source of light as it can create too many shadows.
The style of light is important also. In addition to modern lighting ideas for bathrooms, industrial, traditional, farmhouse, transitional lighting ideas and more are also popular. Each of these styles has many light fixtures that speak to its form and function.
Lowe’s has a wide selection of lighting fixtures to suit any bathroom. Browse our collection online at Lowes.com. If you’re not sure what style you’re looking for, stop by your local store and one of our friendly Red Vest associates will be glad to help you find the lighting fixture that best suits your needs.